Effects of halloysite clay nanotubes on the thermal behaviour of T1107 copolymer

We have studied the thermal properties of nanocomposites based on T1107 copolymer and halloysite clay nanotubes (HNTs) by combination of Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA). Both DSC and TGA experiments have been carried out on T1107/HNTs composites prepared by aqueous casting procedure. The HNTs content has been systematically varied to explore the effect of the composite composition on the thermal characteristic of T1107/halloysite composites. According to DSC results, the presence of HNTs determines a reduction in both temperature and enthalpy of copolymer melting. On the other hand, TGA data have highlighted that the HNTs addition induces destabilization effects on the T1107 resistance to thermal decomposition. This study shows that the thermal properties of T1107 copolymer are influenced by its interactions with halloysite surfaces, to an extent which depends on the specific composition of the composite materials. T1107/HNTs composites present thermal characteristics suitable for technological and environmental applications, such as adsorption of volatile organic compounds and 3D scaffold for catalysts.